NADA catches four athletes using banned drugs

Patiala: Four athletes, including three national champions preparing for 2010 Commonwealth Games, have failed dope tests conducted by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA).

There is no official word from Athletics Federation of India (AFI) but sources say the athletes, alleged to have used International Olympic Committee banned drugs, were training at a camp for the Games at National Institute of Sports (NIS).

Hammer thrower Madhu Kumar, javelin thrower Om Narayan and women's hammer thrower Sukanya Mishra -- all national champions -- and hammer thrower Shankar Poonia have failed the dope tests.

Both Om Narayan and Sukanya Mishra had represented the Country in the prestigious 18th Asian Athletic Championships which was held at Guangzhou, China last month.

Poonia is attached with Centre of Excellence, a Sports Authority of India (SAI) run scheme at the NIS.

AFI did not respond to phone calls.

Om Narayan is one of the most talented athletes in the camp and at the Asian meet in Guangzhou, he had hurled the javelin to 75.36 metres, which was also his personal best.

Sukanya had also given a good performance at Guangzhou finishing a respectable sixth in her event.

Om Narayan, Sukanya and Madhu Kumar were crowned national champions in their respective events at the Bhopal Nationals in October this year.